Boro furious with agent for touting starlet Porritt

Last night's Panorama investigation into football included claims Harrison had
spoken to both clubs about the then 15-year-old England youth player.

In a meeting secretly filmed by the BBC, Frank Arnesen, Chelsea's head of
development and scouting, is seen discussing a £150,000 deal for Porritt.

Lamb confirmed that Harrison never sought permission from Boro to talk to
other clubs about the youngster, who at the time was on schoolboy terms with his
home-town club, and accused the agent of breaking Premier League rules.

He said: 'We are hugely disappointed with the actions of Peter Harrison.

'It was quite clear from the footage shown on the programme that he
approached other Premier League clubs to offer Nathan Porritt to them.

'Harrison was in breach of Premier League rules and regulations in doing so
without either our permission or knowledge.

'Clearly Peter has a lot to answer for to the game's authorities and this
football club.

'Despite the fact that his agent was blatantly touting him around other
clubs, Nathan then signed for our Academy and we are delighted to have him on
board. He is a local boy, who has always wanted to play for Middlesbrough.

'Nathan and his family understood that Middlesbrough was the best place for
him to fulfil his obvious potential.'

Both Chelsea and Liverpool have denied breaking the rules in connection with
their interest in Porritt, although neither club was commenting today.